Tag Archives: Uniformed Fire Officers Association

As New Yorkers experience subzero temperatures this winter, one councilman decided to help keep some of Queens’ most vulnerable warm.

“Being able to give to our young people is great,” said Councilman I. Daneek Miller. “They’re what make our community great. This is a small part of what we try to do for the community but it is necessary that we do it.”

Miller hosted an event in partnership with the Parks Department and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, the organization that supplied brand-new coats for children in his district. He held the event on Wednesday at the Detective Keith L. Williams Field House in Jamaica, which was happily made available by Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, for a special reason.

“We had a toy drive here in December and I noticed so many of our young people didn’t have the proper attire on to keep them warm,” Miller said. “So, when the fire department reached out to me and asked if I knew of people in need, I couldn’t think of a better place to go.”

This is the first year that the UFOA Local 854 is doing the coat drive and coined the name “Operation Warm, more than a coat.”

This was the fourth place they donated coats in the city, all of which are brand-new, brightly colored and warm, Lewandowski said. The association bought over 50 coats to the drive in hopes of keeping children warm until the winter chill blows over.

“We’re a labor organization always looking to help out,” said Derek Harken, a member of the UFOA. “All the coats are made in America, we purchase them and then go to communities where we can help the people out with them.”

Lewandowski commended the organization for their work, especially for helping out those children that may be experiencing some economic hardship.

“These are incredibly good students that participated in this event,” she said. “These coats are not only colorful but extremely warm and the children will benefit from this wonderful operation.”

Things are heating up in one of the most contentious state races in Queens this fall.

Councilmember Eric Ulrich topped the list of those required to file a 10 Day Post Primary Campaign Disclosure Report with a war chest that boasted six-figures.

The first time state senate candidate, running in District 15, took in nearly $400,000 during September, according to the report.

The New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee wired in $329,200 between September 6 and September 18 to Ulrich’s campaign against incumbent State Senator Joseph Addabbo. Individual contributions to his campaign, however, were a stark contrast: $25,970.

Ulrich for Senate, during the filing period, shelled out $421,023 that mostly went to wages, advertising and campaign literature.

In total, Ulrich for Senate has raised — through individual, corporate and other donations — $871,054 since the beginning of 2012, according to Board of Elections (BOE) data.

Ulrich for Senate spokesperson Jessica Proud said the campaign was excited about the amount of money it has brought in. Proud said the range of donors gave the campaign optimism with just weeks to go until the election.

“We’re thrilled with how the fundraising’s been going. It’s a broad range from individuals that are very excited about Eric’s candidacy,” she said. “This show’s his strength going into the election.”

Juan Reyes, who lost to Ulrich in the district’s Republican primary, does not have a report filed on the BOE’s website.

Addabbo, whose campaign will soon file the 32-day pre-primary report, said that while his campaign is raising money and getting support, he is more focused on the issues at hand and reaching out to constituents.

“When the time comes when I have to get out there and talk to people, that’s what I do,” he said. “We’re going to raise enough money to run a successful, positive campaign. [Voters] want to know your vision, what you can do for them and how you can address their concerns.”

The Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFA) on Tuesday, October 2 endorsed Urlich, who picked up a slew of endorsements during primary season.

President Stephen Cassidy said the UFA was proud to endorse Ulrich, and said the first-term councilmember would fight for the middle class and firefighters.

“His record of fighting for the middle class and working to make sure our firefighters have the resources to keep New York City safe is exactly what we need in the senate,” Cassidy said.

The day before, the Tenants Political Action Campaign (Tenants PAC) endorsed Addabbo based on his past actions to fight for tenants’ rights and affordable housing.

Michael Mckee, treasurer of the Tenants PAC, noted Tenants PAC endorsed Addabbo in 2008 and 2010, and said Addabbo’s re-election meant he would continue fighting for tenants and their rights.

A week earlier, the United Federation of Teachers endorsed the three-term incumbent based on his record of securing and allotting funds to education.